Agritech Greenhouse

Location: First Nations, Northern Manitoba

Partners:

Local First Nations, University of Manitoba, Manitoba Hydro, and private agritech companies

Summary:

These partnerships enable food security initiatives such as year-round greenhouses, powered by renewable energy and managed through co-op models.

Impact:

Addressed rural food insecurity, supported local economic development, and promoted sustainable agriculture.

Project:

Year-round greenhouses to enhance food sovereignty

Overview:

Indigenous communities built controlled-environment agriculture systems using renewable energy, in partnership with academia and private sector firms.

Participants & Stakeholders:

Indigenous Governments: First Nations bands (e.g., Opaskwayak Cree Nation)

Public Sector: Indigenous Services Canada, Manitoba Hydro

Private Sector: Agritech firms (e.g., Growcer – modular greenhouses)

Academic Sector: University of Manitoba (design, training)

Leadership: Band councils and community-led working groups

Consulting Vendors: Agricultural extension advisors, renewable energy consultants

Value Contributions:

First Nations: Vision, land, governance

Manitoba Hydro: Infrastructure and energy systems

Agritech Vendors: System deployment and training

University: Curriculum and technical support

Goal:

Enable food security with year-round local greenhouse production

Roadmap & Results:

Discovery & Design-

Success Factor: Co-designed with Elders, youth, and food sovereignty leaders

Planning & Configuration-

Funding: $1.8M secured via ISC, Growcer, and Manitoba Hydro programs

Pilot & Test-

Result: Initial grow unit produced 1,500 lbs of produce per month

Execution-

Result: Scaled to 3 communities with hydro-powered greenhouse clusters

Governance & Innovation-

Impact: 25% reduction in fresh food costs; improved school nutrition programs

Four value framework lenses:

B2B (Business-to-Business): Value created between private sector actors.

B2C (Business-to-Consumer): Value created from businesses or service providers to individual citizens.

G2B (Government-to-Business): Value delivered from public sector to business ecosystems.

G2C (Government-to-Citizen): Value delivered directly to citizens by government programs or PPPs.

B2B:

Agritech firms like Growcer formed build-operate-train partnerships with Indigenous communities.

Collaboration with Manitoba Hydro enabled custom renewable energy configurations.

B2C:

Residents gained access to affordable, fresh, and locally grown produce.

G2B:

Indigenous Services Canada and Manitoba Hydro enabled ecosystem infrastructure.

Training and business development services seeded micro-enterprises.

G2C:

Community food security reduced reliance on expensive, flown-in goods.

Youth programs connected agriculture with STEM learning and local employment.

Value Framework Dimensions:

Economic Value (EV):

Lower cost of fresh produce; local job creation.
Functional Value (FV):

Year-round growing in remote climate with renewable energy.

Experiential Value (XV):

Community pride, youth engagement in STEM-agriculture.
Social/Public Value (SV):

Food sovereignty; reduced dependency on supply chains.

Strategic/Ecosystem Value (ESV):

Indigenous-led innovation model for sustainable food systems.